pg 151 Chapter X. Year 1851
1. Another Line of Railroad to Pass through South Bend
The year 1851 opened, as one might say, with a loud burst of
joy from all northern Indiana. A question vital to the country
has finally been decided in its favor by the legislature at
Indianapolis: a railroad has been secured through the St. Joseph's
valley, passing through South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, etc. This
joy was all the more lively because the capitalists managing the
Michigan Central Company had long been considered as an
insurmountable obstacle to the realization of this project, no
matter how advantageous it might be to the country.
The prayers of the Association had been frequently offered up
for the success of this enterprise. Finally in the early part of
January the news was communicated everywhere by the firing of
canons, as of an event of extraordinary importance. The joy was
as great at Notre Dame du Lac as elsewhere.